NIBA Journal

Insights, analysis, and updates from the National Introducing Brokers Association

Member Announcements
1 min read

Questions for the NFA? Comments for NFA? No problem just call the NIBA!

The NIBA is now offering a premium service for its members and will be acting as a liaison between the association’s membership and the NFA. Do you have something you want to bring to the NFA but are hesitant to do so directly, let the NIBA do it for you. The NIBA is your advocate in the industry. We encourage all members to bring their issues to us. In turn, we will address each and every concern anonymously with the NFA. We have found all registrants periodically have questions on business practices, compliance, registrations, etc on which they would like NFA’s opinion. We have also found many members do not feel comfortable calling their regulator directly to ask something about which they may be unsure. We all appreciate a helping hand at times, and this is exactly what the NIBA will do for you, so please do not hesitate to...

By NIBARead article
Member Announcements
2 min read

Arditti Center announces Dennis Chookaszian, former CEO of CNA Insurance as keynote speaker for June Risk Leadership Program

This June, DePaul University's Arditti Center for Risk Management is hosting a two-day executive risk leadership program led by Dr. Mark Frigo, Director of the Center for Strategy, Execution and Valuation, and Director of the Strategic Risk Management Lab in the Kellstadt Graduate School of Business; and Steve Lindo, an industry expert and educator with more than 20 years of risk management practice in the U.S. and internationally. The program—offered with both one and two day options—will be held Friday, June 13, 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, June 14, 2014, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. DePaul recently held a Risk Conference at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and one of the major themes was a rising need for greater board engagement and education in risk management. This program offers a unique combination of the following elements: • Participants drawn from non-executive board directors, CEOs, CFOs, COOs, Managing...

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Member Announcements
5 min read

NFA Proposal for CTA/CPO Capital Requirements

In Re: Notice to Members I-14-03, Request for Comments - CPO/CTA Capital Requirement and Customer Protection Measures For the past seven years, NIBA membership has been open to CTAs and CPOs. Nearly one-quarter of current members are registered as CTAs - - either as their primary registration or in addition to the IB registration. We count among them established CTAs, as well as emerging managers. During the past couple of weeks we have had numerous comments from members regarding the NFA proposal for capital requirements, and additional customer protection measures for CPOs and CTAs. Virtually 100 percent of the comments we received to date oppose the minimum capital proposal for CTAs. Even IIBs who currently operate under a minimum capital requirement regulation, oppose the NFA’s proposal. At this time, there are not enough comments/suggests regarding CPO capital requirements/alternative customer protection measures for NIBA to take an Association position. The most...

By NIBARead article
Member Announcements
2 min read

Chairman Letter for March 2014

Dear Members - Here’s a partial list of all the events NIBA will be involved in during the next thirty days: March 25: Risk Management Breakfast Meeting at Arditti Center, DePaul University in Chicago April 3: CFTC Roundtable in Washington DC for end users, including discussion of issues surrounding Recording Requirement 1.35 April 15: NIBA Opinion Letter Regarding the NFA Proposed CPO/CTA Capital Requirements May 1: NIBA Spring Member Meeting at the New York Athletic Club in New York City. Yes - this is a typical schedule! Every month the NIBA participates in or presents at least four or five activities which directly affect our members‘ business. Whether it is submitting an opinion on regulation or providing an educational program, NIBA members have a voice. Each of the four dates and events for the upcoming month are more fully discussed in this newsletter. Please contribute to the discussion by sending...

By NIBARead article
Member Announcements
1 min read

NIBA Spring Meeting, May 1 -- New York Athletic Club by Rich Strait, Conf. Committee

The NIBA spring meeting is scheduled for the afternoon of May 1, 2014 at the New York Athletic Club. The full agenda will be available on the NIBA’s website, and will include presentations on product as well as compliance. This meeting is free to all NIBA members - you can register online. NYAC dress requirements (jackets for men, no sneakers) observed. Questions or suggestions, please contact NYC Conference Committee, Rich Strait - rich@straitllc.com or Kristie Aupperle, kaupperle@advance-trading.com.

By NIBARead article
Member Announcements
1 min read

Questions for the NFA? Comments for NFA? No problem just call the NIBA!

The NIBA is now offering a premium service for its members and will be acting as a liaison between the association’s membership and the NFA. Do you have something you want to bring to the NFA but are hesitant to do so directly, let the NIBA do it for you. The NIBA is your advocate in the industry. We encourage all members to bring their issues to us. In turn, we will address each and every concern anonymously with the NFA. We have found all registrants periodically have questions on business practices, compliance, registrations, etc on which they would like NFA’s opinion. We have also found many members do not feel comfortable calling their regulator directly to ask something about which they may be unsure. We all appreciate a helping hand at times, and this is exactly what the NIBA will do for you, so please do not hesitate to...

By NIBARead article
Member Announcements
1 min read

NIBA and DePaul University Team-Up

We are proud to announce our professional relationship with The Fred Arditti Center for Risk Management at DePaul University in Chicago. Earlier this year, NIBA met with members of the DePaul facility to learn about several initiatives recently developed in their financial services department, and DePaul hosted the January meeting of our Board of Directors. We felt several of their newly developed programs would be of interest and value to NIBA members. The Arditti Center hosts a risk management-oriented breakfast meeting once a month on the downtown-Jackson Boulevard Campus. Those meetings are announced on the NIBA website and is free for all NIBA members, but require registration through DePaul. NIBA is also working with the Center to hold an afternoon session or two this summer focusing on the particular interests of our members, and we are discussing a possible work program in which DePaul students can get practical experience in...

By NIBARead article
Member Announcements
1 min read

Happy Anniversary, RJO!

NIBA adds its congratulations to those of the industry on the anniversary of RJ O’Brien’s 100 years in business. As the last surviving founding member of the CME, RJ O’Brien is responsible for a number of industry milestones including hiring the first woman to ever work on the trading floor and taking the first deliver of a Live Cattle contract, the first live animal commodity traded. Founded as John V. McCarthy & Co. in October of 1914, the firm began as butter and egg merchants. By the time Robert O’Brien, Sr. became the president of the firm in 1959, he was already on the way to helping transform the industry in general, and making RJ O’Brien into the largest independent futures brokerage firm in the US. Full disclosure, I worked at RJO from March of 1992 until December of 1994. Mr. O’Brien, Sr.’s work ethic and integrity was, and remains,...

By NIBARead article
Member Announcements
5 min read

Announcing the Arditti Risk Management Leadership Program

The Arditti Center is pleased to announce the launch of the Risk Management Leadership Program—a two-day executive course in the heart of downtown Chicago that provides advanced risk management leadership skills to high-level executives and board members. Developing and maintaining superior performance in corporate risk management, which is both effective in taking high-stakes decisions and fail-safe in times of stress, requires executive leadership. This interactive program focuses on the critical areas of risk management infrastructure, strategy, and decision-making. Designed and taught by industry and academic experts Steve Lindo and Dr. Mark Frigo, the program provides senior leaders with greater understanding of, and essential skills in, risk management leadership practices that have been field-tested across multiple industry sectors. Hosted at the DePaul Center in the heart of downtown Chicago (1 E Jackson Blvd), the Arditti Risk Management Leadership program spans a weekend (June 13th and 14th) of interactive case studies, including...

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Member Announcements
2 min read

CME Group/NFA/NIBA - March 6 - Newport Beach, CA

March 6, 2014: 2:00pm - 7:00pm Sessions Begin: 2:30pm Marriott Newport Beach There will be two information sessions followed by a networking reception with the speakers, CME Group, NFA representatives and the NIBA. There is no cost for this event - all futures industry participants are invited, but you must register in advance. Session 1: Why Smart Money Invests in Managed Futures - CME Group's Initiatives Going Forward: Presented by David Lerman, Senior Director, Client Development & Sales, Asset Managers, CME Group Session 2: Compliance Issues featuring the NFA: Presented by Patricia Cushing, Director Compliance, National Futures Association and Matt Reynolds, AIF(R), CRCP - McGladrey LLP NIBA Networking: Cocktails, good company and conversation. Details regarding registration and information: >Register Now! This is the NIBA's second winter meeting in southern California. Last year's event was at capacity. You do not need to be a NIBA member to attend, but membership is...

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